'These are some of the songs that saved my life,' writes Bono, as he shares a special birthday playlist titled '60 Songs That Saved My Life'. 'The ones I couldn't have lived without… the ones that got me from there to here, zero to 60… through all the scrapes, all manner of nuisance, from the serious to the silly… and the joy, mostly joy.'

The four hour plus playlist stretches from the formative 45s of his teenage years to later collaborations with some of his heroes, as well as tracks by younger artists like Billie Eilish, the same age now, 18, as Bono when he wrote his first song.

Long before he was making music, he was a music fan and along with these 60 songs he's penning a series of letters to their creators and family members.

'I wanted to thank the artists and everyone who helped make them… They were doing the same for me… I am writing a fan letter to accompany each song to try and explain my fascination…'

Bono is sharing the first six letters today, with more coming in the week ahead.

Writing about ‘Miserere' to Alice, daughter of Luciano Pavarotti he says, 'I can hardly remember what it was about... other than forgiveness that is… and a toast to being alive.’

To Billie Eilish (and Finneas) he says, of ‘everything i wanted’, ‘I step inside your song and it’s a black beauty, achingly awesomely vulnerable and terrifying, fearliess and worrisome… but you are not worried by all that.’

Writing to Duncan, son of David Bowie, he recalls, 'When I heard your Dad's song LIFE ON MARS? on the radio in 1973, I was hiding under the covers of my bed in 10 Cedarwood Roadlistening to a pirate radio station called Radio Caroline. I wasn't thinking about the question mark in the title… I wasn't bothered about the dramatic inquiry “is there life on Mars?”… The song was answering a much more important question when I was 13… Is there intelligent life on earth? It was proof as far as I'm concerned.'

To the members of Kraftwerk, who lost Florian this week, Bono recounts how 'The Man Machine' stole his heart and mind as a teenager. 'I gave Ali a copy to romance her on her 17th birthday in 1978… NEON LIGHTS is a song that brought into being a future that has now become so familiar, it is easy to forget just how strange it was.'

'You wrote songs so you could be in them,' he writes to Nile Rodgers. 'And that light touch is never better than on this one', referring to Daft Punk's Get Lucky featuring Rodgers and Pharrell. 'You are a reason to believe in what's possible,' he writes to Pharrell, 'You are a reason to believe in THE IMPOSSIBLE.'

And to Shara Nelson and Massive Attack, he sends gratitude for Safe From Harm, 'Thanks for giving me permission to not fully let go of the rage behind all vulnerability… it can propel.'

Read each letter in full in our gallery above - we'll be adding to it over the next few days.

I love the variety of this lists. I was a teenager in the 80s and I loved all that new music. I was in my twenties in the 90s and loved rock and synth pop even more. I always go back to the classics. Thanks for sharing this, Bono. Happy birthday! May your days and nights be filled by sweet melodies! Peace, Love, Classic Songs, and Kindest Wishes, Ruben and Mike.
P. S. Please send me an autographed picture: Ruben Santos Claveria, 828 Handley Court, Mundelein, IL 60060.
Or call me 773 642-6019 (my cell phone; texts welcome)

hillpy2

16 May, 2020

This play lists is Great! Thank you!

Thank you!! Old favorites and new-to-me sounds to try out, ‘sure helps yo break out of these Covid 4-walls here!

tita69

15 May, 2020

Grazie!

Thank you for sharing this playlist with us but above all for the music you gave us along with the other U2s

May 21 will mark five years since my mom passed away. I played Song to the Siren the moment she left us.

jaanakulo

14 May, 2020

yeah yeah yeah

An interesting list and fun cos there is some of my deep old favorites (Arcade Fire! Patti Smith. Who was with Larry's drums such a joy in London encore once. John Lennon) and a couple of new I think. But the Irish list is rockier a rock and it includes Inhaler. Grin. Granite.

geomhn

13 May, 2020

Georgemhn

Happy Birthday Bono, cheers to another 60 my friend.
Thanks for all the great music and inspiration over the years, fan since 1982. Now 53 myself, I celebrated my 50th in Dublin at Croke Park with you and boys for the JT reunion. Amazing show and a great time to be in Dublin, you made turning 50 fun and can't wait to do it again...…

tammyjohnson_mosher

13 May, 2020

Fellow 1960in. I was born in 1960 as we

I'm listening to the 60 songs. I lived in the country; in the middle of nowhere. I listened to a station on the radio that would fade in and out. WLS in Chicago. I fell in love with Queen, Boston, Kansas, etc. I listen to alternative music now as well. Alice in Chains, Muse, etc.
And of course I listen to U2...have seen you in concert a few times as well. Happiest Birthday!
Tamster

u2freak74

13 May, 2020

Bono saved MY life....

Thank you, B´Man...for being YOU, for being my hero...for being there for all of us!!!
And all YOUR songs saved - and still saves MY life
❤️

jingjpmc

13 May, 2020

Belated 60th Birthday Bono!

Im 2 days late of greeting you but nevertheless im happy to get the chance to greet you here.
Your songs is truly what makes me happy on sad days. Here’s wishing you more joyful days ahead. Keep safe and keep on making new music!
Btw, thanks for sharing your 60 songs playlist with us.

ultra92violet

13 May, 2020

Birthday Wishes!

Happy Birthday from lockdown in Australia! I've been hooked on U2 since hearing The Fly blast onto the radio as a teenager and haven't stopped listening to U2 since. Thank you for making such beautiful, meaningful music. I couldn't have got through 5 years at uni and the many years which have passed since without your music to inspire and motivate me. Also loved the playlist, (especially the inclusion of some Aussie artists). xo

musicabona

13 May, 2020

It´s a musical journey!

Bono, the words you wrote in these letters are so personal, kind and thoughtful. Thanks for sharing a list of artists and their songs that brought you inspiration. Oftentimes, our favourite songs accompany our lives and reflect our own feelings and experiences. As a child and teenager I noticed my parents´ love for The Beatles and The Rolling Stones and discovered their amazing music myself. Albums from R.E.M., Massive Attack, Pearl Jam, Depeche Mode and more are great parts of my record collection. Of course David Bowie´s "Heroes" is always touching. Your list represents the diversity of music history and for me it´s worth digging deeper into material I didn´t know before. Hope you had a wonderful birthday with your family.

billgardnerpei

12 May, 2020

Many Thanks

Bono,
I wanted you to know that I really apprerciated your letters. I think i can speak for all of the bands fans in that we all are curious of your thoughts. I personally have been to 56 U2 shows now and you always seem to connect with me personally. I wanted you to know that I appreciate that as well.
Kind regards,
Bill Gardner

Justin_Caulfield

12 May, 2020

No “The Who?”

Loved listening to your list and helped during this time. Thank you. But can’t believe you had no Who songs. “Helpless Dancer” is timeless.
Best wishes,
Justin
New Jersey USA

Grounded_Pics

12 May, 2020

Gateway Drug

Bono is a gateway drug. Some of these tunes were unknown to me prior to this list being published. Some really amazing work. And it’s really amazing to get into the feelings Bono has walking around in his shoes. Cheers, PH. Thanks for this gift of experience.

ramblinghorse

12 May, 2020

Happy 60th Birthday Bono!

Bono,
It's your birthday, yet you give us a gift! There couldn't be a cooler thing than getting to see your favorite musician's favorite song list! How awesome to see! Funny how you love Ray of Light by Madonna as well! And REM, David Bowie...fantastic list! Thank you for sharing this with us! Hope you had the greatest birthday ever!
xoxo
Jen

cristiu2

12 May, 2020

The soundtrack of my life

Happy birthday Bono! Hope you had a great day last sunday!! I want to thank you for more than 40 years being the soundtrack to my life. U2 has helped me a lot through good and bad, difficult times. Your music is simply a great cure for a better life.
And those 60 songs which saved your life? Don't understand the Beyonce and Lady Gaga things, but the rest is more than great, especially Simple Minds' New Gold dream and Gavin Friday's Angel!!!!
Hope you're writing a lot of new inspired music these days so I and a lot others can continue our soundtrack that will save our lives!!!!

Thank you for these songs, ciao from Milano!!Happy Birthday, I remember you at Forum in 1992 and last time 2018 and you are still the same!!Thanks also for the song that you dedicated to Italy...Stay Safe!!

vickeestaehler

12 May, 2020

Happy Birthday Bono!

Dear Bono,
I hope your 60th year brings you all that your heart desires. It has been my honor to be your fan and also to be involved in the ONE Campaign since it's inception. We are doing great work!! Someday I'll make it to Dublin as it's on my bucket list! I too will be 60 in August!
Many blessings to you and yours!

pam_rosen

12 May, 2020

Happy Birthday! Thanks for the great par

Happy birthday, Bono! I love seeing this playlist - especially timely now! Playlists are saving my life RIGHT NOW, keeping me company on my runs. Love seeing INXS and Simon & Garfunkel on the list along with Echo and the Bunnymen. Some incredible new adds to my playlist and wondering what your next milestone birthday will bring us: Let it Be? Some Blue Oyster Cult - Don’t Fear the Reaper? Veteran of the Physic Wars? And, what about some James Taylor - my favorite surprise background performer - who has some poignant insight through Something in the Way She Moves... U2 has ALWAYS been a staple on my Saved My Life playlist. Thank you for your genius, willingness to collaborate and your fantastic creativity to bring tough issues to the forefront where they belong.

lecram

12 May, 2020

Hartelijk Gefeliciteerd

Van harte met je 60e Bono, congrats on your 60th!!
Hope to see U(2) again someday somewhere in the world, thx for the music all these years!!

Brunovox1970

12 May, 2020

..Don’t Sneeze...

it was late february when we still lived without today's fear and for my 50th birthday you gave me this unexpected gift at Fiinegans pub .. don't sneeze you told me and I wiped away the tears of joy and burst into a smile..thanks to you who changed my life for the better, my thought, my soul. happy birthday young man with an immense heart !! with immense affection and gratitude
Bruno from Florence

Pcrouse

12 May, 2020

Many more you old fart

First heard U2 on an all night college radio station, Oil of Dog, Buffalo NY. "Electric Co." winter 80-81. That song, and a couple of others, are on my top 62...as I reach that age soon. Thank you to Bono and U2. Cheers

shooboxx

12 May, 2020

Fan letters..

This guy has some good taste in music.
It's a perfect time to write a fan letter. Just letting the creatives in our lives know how much we need, adore and appreciate everything they share with us.
B, E, A, Larry ( I'm scared to abbreviate his name.) Your bravery in your emotional honesty helps some us who struggle with it. Thank you. Its been extraordinary having the strength of these songs to help pull myself through a lot of ... stuff.

...Happy Birthday, Bono!
Thank you for the music, for giving it to me.
D.
PS. a very great thank you also to the band, and all the others involved in making U2's songs come to life, and reach all of us who needed to hear them.

DavidGraziotti

12 May, 2020

Happy Birthday soundtrack of my life

Enjoy your beautiful 60 years brother.
I wish you all the joy and happiness you gave to me and my family.